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Kaklik Cave in western Türkiye, often likened to an underground version of Pamukkale because of its natural travertine formations and thermal pools, is aiming to draw more than 1 million visitors annually after welcoming over 1 million people in the past seven years.
Located in the Kaklik neighborhood in the Honaz district of Denizli, the cave stands out with its travertines, stalactites, stalagmites, thermal-water pools and algae in varying shades of green. Its temperature remains at around 32 degrees Celsius, creating a distinctive atmosphere for visitors.
The cave's waters are also believed to have healing properties and are said to help with several skin conditions.
Walking paths and landscaping around the site allow visitors to get a close look at the naturally formed travertines, helping the cave build up its profile among both domestic and international tourists.
Honaz Mayor Yuksel Kepenek said local authorities had carried out work on the travertines, regulated the water system and renewed walking areas as part of efforts to improve the visitor experience.
According to Kepenek, around 1.15 million people have visited Kaklik Cave over the past seven years. When school groups, children, public officials and elderly visitors are also taken into account, he said the overall figure approaches 2 million.
"This figure is something we actually aim to push above 1 million annually. We are moving rapidly toward that," Kepenek said.
The municipality has been promoting the cave through media outlets, social media, scientific meetings and various events, while additional areas have been set up where families can spend time. An outdoor pool is also available for visitors looking to cool off.
Kepenek said international tourists have increasingly added the cave to their itineraries, particularly visitors arriving from East Asia.
"Kaklik Cave is a place you can visit safely and one that attracts intense interest from tourists, especially those coming from the Far East, who visit almost every day with 15 to 20 tour buses," he said, adding that visitors from European countries also frequently stop by during busy periods.
He said the area had developed into a broader visitor complex and that the municipality wanted people passing through the region to see Kaklik as a destination in its own right.
Visitors interviewed at the site highlighted the cave's unusual landscape and largely natural environment.
Nese Oznur, visiting from Isparta with her daughter, said she had seen Kaklik Cave for the first time and found the underground setting reminiscent of Pamukkale even more impressive than photographs suggested.
Miranda Rebekka, a visitor from Italy, said she had seen other caves before but nothing quite like Kaklik, describing the site as particularly appealing because of its natural character.
Another Italian visitor, Ludovica Peterki, who was visiting Türkiye for the first time with her family, said the small pools and distinctive smell stood out during the visit.
"It is natural, very little polluted or touched by people, so I liked it very much," she said.
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